Theory of Natural Law According to Thomas Aquinas
Theory of Natural Law According to Thomas Aquinas
The natural law is a moral theory that is said to be written on the hearts of all humans and is a guide for behavior. Thomas Aquinas held this theory to be part of the divine or eternal law that God made known and applied. Humans, as recipients of the natural law, from this and through reason, derive their natural inclinations on how to act properly. So, according to Aquinas, to practically achieve their proper end, these rational souls desire self-preservation and act virtuously, which also involves avoiding obstacles that frustrate human flourishing. In accordance with the heart, then, to apply objective moral principles correctly that consider the basic goods to the natural law, one can judge the conscience of discernment between what is reasonable and what is unreasonable. Aquinas, as a philosopher and theologian, wrote works that tried to convince non-Christians that Christian doctrines were reasonable; He explained Christian theology systematically. He believed that no conflict exists between reason and faith; reason paired together with faith can attain truth. If anyone found differences between theology’s faith in divine revelation and philosophy’s conclusions, it would be based upon one’s faulty reasoning. The basic goods of the natural law are life, love, knowledge or truth,beauty, and freedom. Aquinas views these inherent goods as incommensurable values that are self-evident and knowable by nature. He claimed that we humans have an obligation to protect and promote these intrinsic values and ought to avoid anything and everything that harm them. Life, to begin with, Aquinas viewed goals of happiness in two ways: living a good life on earth and having everlasting life in heaven. Aquinas believed that people could only satisfy their natural desire for happiness through fellowship with God. Christians believe that, because of their faith, they are justified to have peace with God. Through Jesus
The natural law is a moral theory that is said to be written on the hearts of all humans and is a guide for behavior. Thomas Aquinas held this theory to be part of the divine or eternal law that God made known and applied. Humans, as recipients of the natural law, from this and through reason, derive their natural inclinations on how to act properly. So, according to Aquinas, to practically achieve their proper end, these rational souls desire self-preservation and act virtuously, which also involves avoiding obstacles that frustrate human flourishing. In accordance with the heart, then, to apply objective moral principles correctly that consider the basic goods to the natural law, one can judge the conscience of discernment between what is reasonable and what is unreasonable. Aquinas, as a philosopher and theologian, wrote works that tried to convince non-Christians that Christian doctrines were reasonable; He explained Christian theology systematically. He believed that no conflict exists between reason and faith; reason paired together with faith can attain truth. If anyone found differences between theology’s faith in divine revelation and philosophy’s conclusions, it would be based upon one’s faulty reasoning. The basic goods of the natural law are life, love, knowledge or truth,beauty, and freedom. Aquinas views these inherent goods as incommensurable values that are self-evident and knowable by nature. He claimed that we humans have an obligation to protect and promote these intrinsic values and ought to avoid anything and everything that harm them. Life, to begin with, Aquinas viewed goals of happiness in two ways: living a good life on earth and having everlasting life in heaven. Aquinas believed that people could only satisfy their natural desire for happiness through fellowship with God. Christians believe that, because of their faith, they are justified to have peace with God. Through Jesus